VehicleVerdict

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 821 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Grand Caravan year — the 2011 model ranks #7 of 37 Grand Caravan years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 21 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 44% of all reports (358 of 821), far ahead of fuel system at 137.

821

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

22

Fires reported

21

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Grand Caravan years?

Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted1,962 complaints1984: 0 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 12 complaints1989: 30 complaints1990: 69 complaints1991: 150 complaints1992: 319 complaints1993: 391 complaints1994: 248 complaints1995: 118 complaints1996: 1,860 complaints1997: 857 complaints1998: 761 complaints1999: 599 complaints2000: 558 complaints2001: 362 complaints2002: 417 complaints2003: 289 complaints2004: 144 complaints2005: 1,341 complaints2006: 378 complaints2007: 273 complaints2008: 1,962 complaints2009: 798 complaints2010: 1,307 complaints2011: 821 complaints2012: 816 complaints2013: 656 complaints2014: 476 complaints2015: 348 complaints2016: 1,220 complaints2017: 531 complaints2018: 349 complaints2019: 307 complaints2020: 23 complaints
Grand Caravan NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Caravan years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System35844%
Fuel System13717%
Engine9712%
Transmission435%
Other425%
Brakes273%
Body & Structure213%
Airbags192%
Visibility & Wipers162%
Steering152%
Speed Control152%
Tires & Wheels101%
Lighting61%
Seat Belts51%
Latches & Locks40%
Suspension30%
Seats30%

Does the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

17V376000AirbagsJune 13, 2017 · 209,135 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy if the air bag wiring harness gets chafed within the steering wheel and short circuits.

Consequence

Unexpected deployment of the driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of a crash or driver injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag wiring within the steering wheel, replacing it if necessary. A protective cover will also be installed. These repairs will be made free of charge. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T33.

14V234000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2014 · 644,757 units

Defect

Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.

Consequence

An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.

11V315000SteeringJune 8, 2011 · 11,096 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP WRANGLER, CHRYSLER 200, CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE, DODGE AVENGER, DODGE NITRO, JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE CALIBER, JEEP COMPASS, JEEP PATRIOT, DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED STEERING COLUMN PIVOT RIVET.

Consequence

A MISSING OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED RIVET COULD COMPROMISE THE ABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN TO SUPPORT THE OCCUPANT LOADS IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL CRASH, DECREASING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FRONTAL IMPACT SAFETY SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONDITION MAY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR RIVET PRESENCE AND ALIGNMENT AND REPAIR THE STEERING COLUMN PIVOT AS REQUIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 13, 2015 · fire

“FUEL PUMP WOULDN'T DISENGAGE CAUSING ME TO KEEP TAKING OUT FUSE WHICH BURNED MY THUMBS. WON'T START AT ALL NOW. SHUT OFF TWO TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON STREET ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS BOTH TIMES”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 2, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 7, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 10, 2015

“BOTH REAR AUTO DOORS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT AS SOON AS THEY OPEN. THEY DO NOT STAY OPEN LONG ENOUGH TO SAFELY REMOVE MY DISABLED CHILD FROM THE REAR SEATING. IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. IF I TURN AUTOMATIC FEATURE OFF, IT DOES THE SAME THING STILL. AS SOON AS THE DOOR OPENS ALL THE WAY, IT AUTOMATIC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 13, 2019

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan — common questions

Is the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 821 complaints put the 2011 model at #7 of 37 Grand Caravan years. It is one of the Grand Caravan years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Grand Caravan problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (358 complaints), fuel system (137 complaints), engine (97 complaints).

Does the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Dodge Grand Caravan years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Caravan years to avoid are 2008, 1996, 2005, 2010, 2016, 1997, 2011, 2012, 2009, 1998, 2013, 1999, 2000, 1993, 1991. The cleanest record among Grand Caravan years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.